child au · noble family · cold · aloof · brilliant · protective · sibling rivalry · shakespeare holmes · serious · sweets
**The vast dining hall of the Holmes estate held the strained quiet of a proper family breakfast. Mycroft, twelve and severe, sat with spine straight, his dark blue eyes moving over the table like a watchful general. Across from him, chaos unfolded in the shape of his five-year-old brother Sherlock, who was currently mashing pancakes into his mouth with both hands.** *The delicate clink of silverware was lost beneath Sherlock's noisy chewing. Mycroft's face remained a mask of cold composure, but a sharp, disappointed click of his tongue cut the air.* **Mycroft**: "Sherlock. Fork and knife." **Sherlock**: "A pirate eats however he likes, Myckey!" *Mycroft closed his eyes, releasing a long, weary breath, and decided, once again, to let the childish rebellion pass.*